TENS of thousands of pounds of taxpayers’ cash has been pledged to Barnard Castle’s arts centre for the next three years.
Under the funding agreement, The Witham will receive £30,000 each year from Durham County Council.
Officials say the £90,000 will provide further financial stability for the centre – which was saved from closure in 2018 by a public appeal for cash – as well as helping to develop its programme of events.
Susan Coffer, centre manager at The Witham, said the funding recognised the significant role the complex will play in helping the county council deliver its strategy to support and promote arts and culture-led regeneration.
“It will help ensure the people of Teesdale and visitors to the town have access to quality cultural experiences,” she said.
“Thanks to the success of many projects in cities and towns across the UK, there is now compelling evidence of the social and economic value the cultural sector can have and its ability to deliver growth and drive regeneration.
“The impact of investing in culture has seen growth in tourism and in strengthening community pride, both of which chime with the ambitions we have here.
“Reinforcing The Witham as a vibrant community arts centre can only be a positive for the town.
“Having the security of a three-year funding agreement gives us a tremendous foundation on which to build.”
Cllr Joy Allen, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for transformation, culture and tourism, added: “Good quality cultural venues are not only important to the local community, they also play a big part in attracting visitors to an area.
“Places such as The Witham feed into our tourism offer as well as supporting the evening economy of a town and the county as a whole.
“This funding will not only help ensure the venue is financially stable over the next three years but will enable its board to take steps to secure its longer-term future.
“We will continue to work with them to ensure that The Witham remains a vibrant, welcoming and sustainable community arts venue.”
The money is coming from Durham County Council’s cultural and social regeneration budgets and is the authority’s second major handout after The Witham was saved from closure by a public appeal for cash in 2018 which raised more than £40,000. On that occasion, £60,000 was given by the county council to tide the centre over in the short term.
The complex has struggled to cover its operating costs since reopening in 2013 after a £3.2million revamp.
Matters came to a head in August 2018 when trustees revealed it was losing £10,000 a month, prompting the public appeal. Since then, trustees have worked hard to cut costs, broaden the appeal of the programme and attract more people through the door to its cafe and classes.
